Unique Japanese Ruins & Sites Across Babeldaob, Palau

Did you know, Palau was colonized four different times in the past 300 years? By the Spanish, Germans, Japanese, and yes the Americans. But the most impactful occupation and colonization was done by the Japanese, leaving behind much of their culture and some linguistics. But nothing is more apparent than it’s war structures during expansion in the Second World War.

If any place is well known in Palau for world war history, it’s Peleliu (Blog Coming SOON), infamous for it’s bloody months long battle. With tanks, mortar shells, and gun placements scattered across the island. But that’s not to forget that Babeldaob, Palaus main island & main city of Koror has some interesting sites, ruins, and landmarks left behind to explore.

Here are some of the ones I had the chance to visit.

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Japanese Communications Building (Airai State)

The most notorious of them all and the most visited WW2 site in Palau, and most accesible right off of the main road, is the Japanese Empires most significant site during wartime.

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Designed and built to look like a church from above, the Japanese Communication center was a hub for the entirety of Palau as well as nearby Yap and possibly Guam and Saipan. The building has two floors which is innaccessible due to structural damage and in many parts has holes in the ceiling to a whole collapse on one site. Riddled with bullet holes, this building was heavily bombed as Airai state was littered with gun placements and soldiers. Even the Rock islands has gun placements.

Don’t forget your PERMIT from Airai State Gov’t: $15 for foreigners as of 8/2022.

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Japanese Memorial (Ngatpang)

A location with no signs or no indication of existing on Google Maps, this monument sits practically deralict with very little upkeep. Apparently there are Japanese soldiers buried here, so its said. But this pyramid like structure in its state and isolation off of the road makes it quite the eerie visit, with respect of course.

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Japanese Radio Tower (Ngatpang State)

A rusted out radio tower that once stood upright now collapse hugging the earth, is right on the crossroads of the Compact Road and road crossing the island to the capital. It was closed off at the time due to constructing of an apparent new museum for war relics (cool!) but was cool to see it while grabbing local food behind the Apple Jacks colored Ngatpang sign. 🙂

Credit: Wikipedia

Todai: Japanese Lighthouse (Ngarchelong State)

In the far north of Babeldaob in the northern tip of Ngarchelong State, lies the remains of the former Japanese Lighthouse and outpost to assist communication with boats coming in and out of the nearby dock. I mentioned remains, as the site is just about entirely collapse with no structure to really explore. However, the site offers some of the most incredible panoramic views of the peninsula, nearby dock, two island off of the cost and in my case on a clear day, Kayangel.

Cost of entry/permit: $5 at a tiny office maned at the base of the stairs.

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Babeldaob is still very much still raw for adventure and exploration. So there are a number of relics across the island only known of by locals. Yet still, just even these mentions above are worth visiting on any trip to Palau. Especially if you’re into one hell of a time warp into Japanese Occupied Palau. If you’re a history dork like myself, you’ll really enjoy these on your trip. 🙂

Be sure to check out my other blogs and content on Palau.

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